We arrived in Taree on Monday rather later than intended as we left quite late. Richard was out trying to buy petrol but was unable to because no-one could pump it due to the blackout. Eventually, however, when we heard that the power would not be back on until late afternoon but that the roads were clear of fallen trees we decided to push on to Taree which was only 76 km away albeit on a windy, rough road. We arrived in Taree with petrol to spare.
The next couple of days were spent taking Elaine shopping and Richard mowing the lawn and...

Lovely weather today so we did a few loads of washing and had a clean out. I hope the clean sheets don't bring out any amorous desires. I have my shorts on as it was 23c, I bet the weather turns foul now...
Then it was out to Beaumont Terrace to collect Aunts “Things”. Then a quick visit to the Dr who (Not DR Who) had not posted the necessary paperwork so she can be buried, got that sorted back in Taree, then run round to the Council to have the wording on her granite plaque arranged and paid for....
A quick lunch; then on to Spotlight, we...

Arrived at Dawson River after a roadside lunch stop at “Jerrys Rest” and set up for a few days.
The weather has taken a turn for the better, we had the A/C on today. The Pacific Hwy is a bit slow due top the number of sites for roadworks but they are really needed and from just north of Port Macquarie to Hexham is now a good run, well it will be when the Bulahdelah bypass is opened, it seems we have been watching progress for some years now on out trips to Taree, Harrington and Tuncurry.
After setting up the van with stunning river views ...

Dawson River, Just north of Taree is where we are at now. Very pretty little van park if a bit run down, but there are persons weeding and mowing so it’s neat and tidy.
We are sitting in the van with the Air conditioner running…… Outside there is a hot gusty wind blowing and if we look out the van rear windows there is the allusion that we are afloat as the ground is obscured….
I posted some pics of the van park we stayed at on the trip up, nice there too but limited TV reception, bore water and the amenities are a fair way from the sites...

Well day 1 is almost done and dusted. An almost uneventful drive from Canberra to Taree only 1 near miss with a truck towing a trailer that cut us off….. Missed us by that much!
Staying at the Twilight Caravan Park just south of the teeming metropolis meaning that I don’t have to tow the Gin Palaise across the narrow bridge….
Quite a nice park with drive thru sites and spotless amenities. The Fox terrier X next door wanted to kill Grace but its owner’s regained control and then apologised to us. Tomorrow we will pick up Carols aunt and take...

After two weeks of houseboats, catch-ups, cheap hostels and fish and chips we decided to head to our next stop and biggest challenge yet, a small farm in Nabiac.
Due to funds rapidly disappearing and the unexpected strain of doing nothing chipping away at us we decided to look for a new experience and came across a website called Helpx. Helpx or Woofing as it is also known is a site dedicated to helpers and hosts who list a range of jobs in return for free accommodation and food. Here we came across Honeycomb Valley, a small sustainable...

Taree, yes its on the map.
Getting close to the grande finale now. Tomorrow we move on to www.davesfrontlawn.com.au and our adventure will be drawing to a close, I still have some official exoffico duties to perform with a bloke who is building a steamboat in Campsie and Dave’s 60th but then it will be back to Canberra, a full sized home and the usual round of Doctors appointments that we have avoided by not being home.
Today we spent with Carols Aunt getting a few things sorted. Having sorted her we can move on, we did have a yummy lunch...

Vital Statistics
Distance : 633 KM
Diesel Price Gold Coast : $1.649
Fuel Economy : 11.5 litres / hundred
Up early for a long day of driving. The night before had been very windy and cold.
We woke up around 6am and were on the road by 7:10AM
We travelled 300K before having breakfast at Maccas (only the second time on the holiday) at Grafton.
We decided to stop in at South West Rocks for lunch. Lise's' sister Fiona had holidayed there a number of times along with a number of other friends, and had all given the place a rave review. So, we...